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What is Billions in Change?

Billions in Change is a movement to build a better future for humanity by developing and delivering useful inventions that enable the unlucky half of the world to meet fundamental needs related to electricity, clean water, nutritious food, and healthcare. Our inventions include expense-free and pollution-free electricity generators that power homes, schools, and businesses; devices that create fresh water for drinking and agriculture; farming techniques that enhance crop yields, crop quality as well as farmer income; and healthcare solutions that actually address the main causes of disease.

When you address that which is fundamental, you affect everything above it. Fundamental needs like affordable and reliable electricity, clean water, nutritious food, and effective healthcare are the foundation of wellness and livelihood. So we don’t do education, we enable education. We don’t do health—in terms of vaccines and cures, for example—we enable health. We don’t give people money, we enable them to make a living. The fundamental areas of energy, water, food, and health are key to solving many of the world’s biggest problems.

Who is behind Billions in Change?

Billions in Change is led by billionaire philanthropist Manoj Bhargava, creator of 5-hour ENERGY, who believes those with more have a duty to serve those with less. He is committed to enabling the unlucky half of the world to obtain basic needs so they can live healthy, productive lives. That goal is the focus of the work he is funding through Stage 2, The Hans Foundation, and The Hans Foundation Hospitals. Manoj has dedicated 99 percent of his wealth to helping those in need and is employing a unique zero-profit business model in order to serve as many people as possible.

Why is Billions in Change a movement?

The problems we’re aiming to solve are far greater than any single person or organization can address alone. The only way to have significant and lasting positive impact on humanity is to form a movement that involves huge numbers of people, as well as companies and institutions, working together toward a common goal. The Billions in Change movement includes Manoj Bhargava (our founder), Stage 2 (the invention shop in Farmington Hills, Michigan), The Hans Foundation (the organization responsible for deploying solutions in India), and tens of thousands of supporters and volunteers around the world. We’re actively working to grow this movement in order to help as many people as possible. Please join us!

How can I join the Billions in Change movement?

If you like what Billions in Change is about, check out our opportunities to Get Involved. Everybody can do something. And you don’t have to be rich to make a difference. Whatever your capacity is, do that. Join us and make a lasting impact on our world.

How does the Billions in Change movement plan to engage with volunteers?

Billions in Change is about billions of people being the change they wish to see in the world. To that end, our movement seeks to meaningfully engage with volunteers both online and on the ground through the volunteer-engagement sections of our Android app (coming soon) and website. Through this initiative, we hope to identify self-motivated change-makers and like-minded organizations that could potentially be hired or funded to expand our field projects into more regions in India.

I’d like to become a volunteer. How can I get started?

You can become a part of the Billions in Change movement by contributing your time, ideas and collective energies. Install our Android app (coming soon) and Get Involved with our global community of supporters. Stay updated about our programs, engage in Discussions with us and other like-minded individuals and groups, and participate in our field projects (coming soon) to further our collective mission.

If Manoj is willing to give billions of dollars away, why not just give the money to the needy?

Poverty isn’t caused by a lack of money. Rather, poverty results from an inability to earn a sufficient living. Therefore, giving money to the needy is not a permanent fix. Manoj’s aim is to develop useful inventions that enable people to make a decent living, care for their families, and improve their lives. Doing philanthropy in a way that gives people opportunity is the only way to have a lasting impact.

How is Manoj spending the 99% of his wealth that he’s earmarked for philanthropy?

Currently, Manoj is fulfilling his commitment through a variety of activities. He is giving money to charities in India, funding the construction and operation of new non-profit hospitals in India, investing in other health, agriculture, and clean water projects, funding the Stage 2 invention shop, finding and developing new products and technologies that align with the mission (including buying patents when necessary), establishing manufacturing plants and distribution channels in different parts of the world, and employing the hundreds of people involved with the different stages of these projects.

If Manoj has committed 99% of his wealth to philanthropy, why not just give the inventions away instead of charging for them?

We’re trying to affect the lives of a billion people. If Manoj were to give away the inventions, very few people would ultimately be served. The best way to fulfill the mission of developing products and technologies that can benefit humanity is to reinvest the sales revenue. That reinvestment could involve subsidizing existing inventions for those who can’t afford them, expanding manufacturing and distribution into new regions, or developing and producing entirely new inventions. All money received goes back to the mission. It’s the only way to create scaled and sustained impact over the long term and to improve the lives of the most people possible.

How can I work with you?

At this point, there are no job openings with Billions in Change or Stage 2. The best way to work with us is to Get Involved with the Billions In Change Movement.

Can Manoj contribute to my cause?

We see a lot of great causes and ideas come in from around the world. Unfortunately, we have so many projects we’re working on already that we don’t have the capacity to take on anything new just now.

I have an idea or invention I’d like to share with Manoj or Stage 2. How can I do that?

Manoj and Stage 2 are currently focused on manufacturing and delivering the HANS™ PowerPack, HANS™ Solar Briefcase, and the RainMaker units, and have several other ideas in the pipeline. At this time they are not accepting suggestions for new inventions. Thank you for understanding.

Can I visit Stage 2?

When will the RainMaker devices be available for sale and distribution?

The current estimate is mid-2018 for the brackish and greywater devices. There is no estimate yet for the RainMaker for ocean water.

How much will the RainMaker devices cost?

Stage 2 is still building the manufacturing line and working to source materials, so we don’t yet have a cost estimate.

What’s the status of the original RainMaker for ocean water?

Stage 2 continues to modify the RainMaker for ocean water to make it smaller and more efficient. However, because of the regulations and permitting required to turn ocean water into freshwater, we’ve decided to focus our attention on the filtration units that purify brackish water and grey water, which are for use at the village level and can be deployed immediately.

If red tape is preventing the RainMaker for ocean water from being implemented in communities, why not go after large corporations that can use the technology?

That’s actually something being considered. Several companies and universities have expressed interest.

What is the status of sales and delivery for the HANS™ devices?

The HANS™ PowerPack is currently available for purchase in India and the US. The HANS™ Solar BriefCase is available for pre-order and is scheduled to begin shipping in November or December 2017. Also by the end of 2017, the HANS™ Free Electric bicycle will be available in India on a limited basis. For sales, pricing, and product specifications in India visit BuyHansElectric.in.

Are the HANS™ PowerPack and HANS™ Solar BriefCase available for sale outside the US and India?

At this point, we’re unable to ship beyond the US and India. Sometime in 2018, we will begin looking for partners to help us expand distribution to other parts of the world.

Where can I learn more about the HANS™ devices?

For detailed specifications on the HANS™ PowerPack and HANS™ Solar BriefCase visit BuyHansElectric.in.

What happened to the HANS™ Free Electric bicycle?

Feedback from field tests of the HANS™ Free Electric bike in 2016 and early 2017 revealed that substantial work needed to be done to improve the battery. For it to be really useful, it needed to be portable, it needed lights, and it needed to be simpler. When Stage 2 went to work on improving the battery, they ended up inventing a completely new device, which is now the HANS™ PowerPack. With the PowerPack, the bike became an accessory—just one more way to charge it up. And considering the size of the bike, the special tooling required to produce it, and effort required to use it, our sense is that most people will opt for the other charging options. We’re still going to make the bike for India, but we think the HANS™ PowerPack and Solar BriefCase are going to be much more popular devices.

If I have the means, can I purchase a HANS™ PowerPack or HANS™ Solar BriefCase for someone in need?

Supporters can donate to Billions in Change through The Hans Foundation. And while we cannot guarantee that a specific donation is used for a specific purpose, we can ensure that 100% of every dollar donated will be used to fund Billions in Change initiatives, which will be implemented through our partnership with The Hans Foundation. If you are located in India, you are welcome to purchase HANS™ PowerPack or HANS™ Solar BriefCase units from BuyHansElectric.in and donate them to those in need. Discounts are available for orders of 30 units.

Where will the HANS™ devices be manufactured?

For the foreseeable future, all HANS™ products will be manufactured at Stage 2 in Farmington Hills, Michigan (USA).

How can I be involved with manufacturing and distribution?

Individuals and companies interested in distributing the HANS™ products in India can buy directly from BuyHansElectric.in. Discounts are available for orders of 30 units**. We are still in the process of creating production and distribution plans for regions beyond India.

** Please note that you may have to obtain licenses and permits from the proper authorities in order to resell the products.

Are the HANS™ products patented?

Yes.

What is the status of Limitless Energy?

The graphene project featured in the first documentary is still in the early research stage. A lot of resources are devoted to it, but it will still be some time before the idea can be proven to work in the real world. We’ll be sure to make an announcement as soon as there is a newsworthy development.

We believe that when you address that which is fundamental, you affect everything above it. Water is fundamental. Given that waterborne diseases are the number one cause of sickness and death around the world, it’s pretty clear that giving people clean water is the best thing you can do for their health. Food is fundamental. When people eat nutritious foods, their immune systems tend to work better and they get sick less often. Electricity is fundamental. When a rural health clinic has enough electricity to run lights, a small refrigerator, and basic medical equipment, they’re able to provide higher quality care to their patients. Those are a few reasons why we’re focused on meeting fundamental needs.

What is the status of Renew ECP?

Renew ECP began shipping in November 2015 and was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for increased blood flow for both heart patients and healthy individuals. It is intended for use under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Visit the US website or Asia website for information about distribution in your region.

What other disease states are you working on?

We are working on diabetes, lung function, neuropathy, and several others.

How does the Shivansh Fertilizer method work?

Shivansh Fertilizer is formed through a natural exothermic reaction. Because that reactive process is optimized by the size, contents, ratios, layering, and turning of the pile, it takes just 18 days to go from raw farm materials to rich, fertile soil.

Who can make Shivansh Fertilizer?

Anyone can make it. The Shivansh Fertilizer method involves no monetary costs. All that’s needed is ample sources of dry plant material, fresh plant material, animal dung, and water. You’ll also need a dry, shady place to build the pile.

How are you planning to get the word out about this fertilizer method?

An illustrated instruction manual and video were created to help farmers better understand the Shivansh Fertilizer method. We hope to soon have the instruction manual translated into 20-30 languages so that people all over the world can use it. In India, The Hans Foundation is overseeing a program to train rural farmers on the process.